Continuing its mission of supporting hometown heroes, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation will celebrate $85,292 worth of life-saving equipment grants awarded to an Army veteran, four first responder organizations and a local school district during a press event at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at the Eisenhower Crossing Firehouse Subs restaurant located at 4640 Presidential Pkwy. Macon, Ga. 31206.

The event will feature live demonstrations from receiving organizations, explaining the importance of the equipment and how it will be used to save lives. Residents and Firehouse Subs guests are invited to join the celebration and see firsthand how their generous contributions have come full circle to provide much needed equipment in their community.

“Having served as a firefighter for more than 25 years, it’s truly amazing to be a part of an organization that gives back to first responders,” said Brady Rigdon, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation procurement specialist. “Thanks to amazing support from Firehouse Subs guests, the Foundation is able to help keep communities safe, as well as those who work day in and out to protect them.” 

The below encapsulates each grant award being celebrated at the March 28 event, including a brief description of equipment use and value:

• Baldwin County Fire Rescue received $11,010 worth of extrication equipment, replacing outdated tools and improving the department’s rescue capabilities for victims in motor vehicle accidents.

• Macon-Bibb County Fire Department received a digital fire extinguisher training system valued at $15,421. The awarded training system will allow firefighters to train the community on the safe and proper use of fire extinguishers through hands-on instruction and demonstrations.

• Army Veteran Norman Slaughter received an all-terrain wheelchair valued at $11,787. Following a double knee replacement, the awarded chair will provide Slaughter the independence to safely participate in outdoor recreation activities and regain his mobility.

• Dublin Fire Department received a heavy rescue air bag set valued at $10,825. With an average of 150 accident calls per year, the awarded equipment will help stabilize motor vehicles involved in accidents, allowing firefighters to safely reach victims and provide medical assistance quickly and efficiently.

• McRae-Helena Fire Department received a chest compression system valued at $17,551 to assist firefighters by delivering uninterrupted chest compressions at a constant rate and depth to cardiac arrest patients, helping improve a patient’s chance of survival.

• Dodge Connection-Communities In Schools of Dodge County, Inc. received eight automated external defibrillators and accessories valued at $18,698. The awarded AEDs will help ensure schools are prepared to provide life-saving assistance if an individual on campus goes into cardiac arrest. Studies from the American Heart Association show use of an AED within three to five minutes of a victim’s heart stopping improves odds of survival by nearly 70 percent. 

"The City of McRae-Helena and Telfair County do not have a local hospital, and our ambulance service runs two ambulances on duty,” said McRae-Helena Fire Chief Jeff Hardin. “It’s often both ambulances are busy transporting patients to the nearest hospital, which is 25 minutes away, so we’ll run medical calls to assist them. On many occasions, we’ve responded to emergency medial calls when the ambulance was going to be an hour getting to us. This chest compression device has allowed us to support our EMS system by providing better and more effective CPR, and thus a more viable patient when they arrive on scene. The purchase of the device is already saving lives in the community, and we would like to thank Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for assisting us in our efforts to provide better service to our community.”

Event attendees include local firefighters, Veteran Slaughter and representatives from Dodge County Schools, as well Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Procurement Specialist Brady Ridgon, Firehouse Subs Area Representative Chris Holmes and the following Firehouse Subs franchisees: Morgan Collins, Will Collins, Schel Collins, William McComb and Max Baker.

Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was founded in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when Firehouse Subs co-founders, Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen, traveled to Mississippi where they provided food to first responders and survivors. As they traveled back to Florida, they knew they could do more and Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was born with the mission of providing funding, life-saving equipment and educational opportunities to first responders and public safety organizations. Since its inception, the non-profit organization has given more than $24 million to hometown heroes in 46 states, Puerto Rico and Canada, including more than $1.5 million in Georgia.  

Firehouse Subs restaurants participate in a number of fundraising efforts, including the sale of recycled pickle buckets for $2. Donation canisters on register counters collect spare change, while the Round Up Program allows guests to “round up” their bill to the nearest dollar. Grant allocations are made possible thanks to the overwhelming support of Firehouse Subs restaurants and generous donors.